Followers of Khoumeini Warn New Iran Regime Will Cut Oil to Israel

Iran will cut off all oil to Israel after the advent of an Islamic republic in Iran, according to Iran refugees who have joined Ayatullah Khoumenai, the exiled Iranian religious leader who has become the symbol of resistance to the Shah, at his home in Neouphle-le-Chateou 25 miles southwest from Paris. These Iranians do not claim to act as Khoumeini’s spokesmen but are known to be supporters and close followers of his cause. They say openly that “after we win, not a drop of oil will go to Israel,” and add that Iran will join in the struggle to tree the Moslem holy places in Jerusalem from Israeli rule.

Khoumeini has ### statement on this issue, confirming that oil shipments to Israel will cease once a new Islamic regime takes control. Iran reportedly now supplies 70 percent of Israel’s annual needs. The exiled leader has refused to discuss this question further and has also rejected requests for interviews from Israeli journalists and representatives of Jewish newspapers. Members of his entourage, however, are quite outspoken. Some assert that “all Israelis will be chased out at Iran” once the Shah is deposed and accuse Israel of serving “as the tool of American imperalism” in Iran.

KHOUMEINI’S ANTI-JEWISH VIEWS

(Over the weekend, The New York Times reported that Khoumeini is quoted as expressing anti-Jewish sentiments in a little known book based on lectures delivered in Persian in Iraq in 1970. The book, “Islamic Government,” published in Arabic and reportedly very rare in the United States and Iran quotes him as expressing “extreme hostility” against Jews, whom he accuses of “platting against Islam” and preparing the way to rule over the entire planet.

(According to The Times, he is also quoted as saying in his book, from its very inception, Islam has been afflicted by the Jews. From the beginning they have launched their hostile activity by distorting the good name of Islam…” Christians and members of the Bahai sect are also attacked in the book.

(“In Teheran, Christian, Zionist and Bahai missionary centers issue their publications in order to mislead people and to alienate them from the teachings and principles of religion, “the book says. “Is it not our duty to demolish these centers?” Approximately 80,000 Jews, 230,000 Christians and between 200,000 to 300,000 Bahai members live in Iran.

(Associates of Khoumeini interviewed by The Times questioned the authenticity of the book. However, The Times noted that the 150-page book by the 78-year-old exiled leader was deemed authentic by a leading Western Arab just who asked not to be identified.)